Ultra-Rare Photos of Endangered Snow Leopards in the Wild (Slideshow)

The endangered snow leopard is famously elusive: Not only do fewer than 7,000 remain in the wild, but the animals are notorious for avoiding humans and camouflaging themselves on rocky ledges.

Snow Leopards are in danger from poachers, habitat loss, and neighboring herders who shoot them to protect their livestock--which is why Panthera and the Snow Leopard Trust are working on tracking a group of five Mongolian snow leopards via GPS collars. These photos from the field scientists offer an unusual look at these rarely-seen cats.